Man gets jail time for vandalism at Max Patch

Published: Thursday, July 11, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, July 10, 2013 at 5:50 p.m.

ASHEVILLE — A Canton man was sentenced Tuesday to 90 days incarceration for vandalizing parts of Max Patch, a scenic area in the Appalachian Ranger District in Pisgah National Forest.

Tyler Pace, 24, received the sentence during an appearance in U.S. District Court in Asheville, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service, announced. Prior to his sentencing hearing, Pace paid restitution for his share of the damage to Max Patch.

“This sentence sends a message to vandals that damaging our public lands will not be tolerated,” U.S. Attorney Anne Tompkins said in a news release.

Pace was with a group of men who illegally drove vehicles in the Max Patch area in January, causing more than $5,000 of damage to that scenic area, according to the release.

Pace facilitated that damage by tearing down the entrance gate and fence, thereby enabling the other persons to drive their vehicles into the protected area where vehicles are prohibited, the release says.

Max Patch sits next to the Tennessee state line and is intersected by the Appalachian Trail. At 4,629 feet, this bald offers 360-degree vistas of Mount Mitchell to the east and the Great Smoky Mountains to the southwest. An abundance of ferns and grasses blanket the area.

<p>ASHEVILLE — A Canton man was sentenced Tuesday to 90 days incarceration for vandalizing parts of Max Patch, a scenic area in the Appalachian Ranger District in Pisgah National Forest. </p><p>Tyler Pace, 24, received the sentence during an appearance in U.S. District Court in Asheville, the U.S. Attorney's Office, in conjunction with the U.S. Forest Service, announced. Prior to his sentencing hearing, Pace paid restitution for his share of the damage to Max Patch.</p><p>“This sentence sends a message to vandals that damaging our public lands will not be tolerated,” U.S. Attorney Anne Tompkins said in a news release.</p><p>Pace was with a group of men who illegally drove vehicles in the Max Patch area in January, causing more than $5,000 of damage to that scenic area, according to the release.</p><p>Pace facilitated that damage by tearing down the entrance gate and fence, thereby enabling the other persons to drive their vehicles into the protected area where vehicles are prohibited, the release says. </p><p>Max Patch sits next to the Tennessee state line and is intersected by the Appalachian Trail. At 4,629 feet, this bald offers 360-degree vistas of Mount Mitchell to the east and the Great Smoky Mountains to the southwest. An abundance of ferns and grasses blanket the area.</p>